Tales from the Dodgers Dugout by Carl Erskine

Author:Carl Erskine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sports Publishing
Published: 2013-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Swifty

There were two players in the National League who were known for their lack of speed: Rube Walker, the catcher for the Dodgers, and Del Rice, the catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. On a trip to St. Louis, the Dodgers passed the Cardinals, who were on the field for batting practice, and the debate about whose catcher was slower began. We decided that we would settle it once and for all in a 50-yard race.

Both teams moved to the outfield, and the two rather unwilling participants began to “rev up” for the race. As Walker took off his spikes so that he could run better on the outfield grass and Rice flexed his legs and practiced some starts, some placed their bets. The 50 yards were laid out from center field to the right foul line. Finally, all was ready.

“Get on your mark, get set, go!”

The lead-footed catchers sprinted across the outfield, and Rice won the race by three yards. Walker apologized to his teammates, and the Dodgers were forced to pay up.

Later, Warren Giles, the National League president, heard about the race and reprimanded both clubs for their inappropriate behavior. But the matter was settled in both teams’ minds.

Fresco Thompson, the vice president for the Dodgers, once commented on Walker’s running speed, “Rube will fool you. He’s slower than he looks.”

He definitely proved it at Sportsman’s Park that day.

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